Episode 272: Why Emotions Matter
With Jeff and Terra Mattson and Special Guests Jon and Tristen Collins
In this episode of Living Wholehearted, we sit down with Jon and Tristen Collins to explore why emotional health is not a one-time achievement, but a lifelong, grace-filled process. Together, we talk about how emotions shape our faith, our marriages, and the way we lead—especially when we’ve been taught to suppress or spiritualize them away.
Drawing from their book Why Emotions Matter, Jon and Tristen invite us to rethink the relationship between emotional maturity and spiritual formation. We discuss the church’s complicated history with emotions, how our bodies communicate what’s happening beneath the surface, and why knowing we are already loved by God frees us to engage the messy work of growth. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply hopeful—for leaders, couples, and anyone longing to live more wholeheartedly.
Key Takeaways
Emotional health is an ongoing process, not a spiritual finish line
God’s love is not earned through emotional or spiritual maturity
Emotions act as signals, revealing deeper needs, values, and limits
Suppressing emotions often creates disconnection in marriage and leadership
Spiritual maturity cannot exist without emotional maturity
Our bodies play a vital role in how emotions surface and heal
Grace creates the safety needed for emotional growth
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Until next time, be the leader you would follow!
Grateful for you,
Jeff & Terra
To connect with Jeff & Terra Mattson and Living Wholehearted, go to:
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